Santa Clarita CA vs Waco TX — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Santa Clarita, CA
California · Population: 229,021
- Median HH Income$119,926
- Median Home Price$802,780
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+39.3%
Waco, TX
Texas · Population: 141,925
- Median HH Income$51,468
- Median Home Price$196,465
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Santa Clarita
229,021
Santa Clarita +
Waco
141,925
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Santa Clarita
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Santa Clarita
38.1
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Santa Clarita
21.6%
Santa Clarita +
Waco
9.8%
White
Santa Clarita
53.1%
Waco
54.0%
Waco +
Black
Santa Clarita
4.4%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
Asian
Santa Clarita
11.4%
Santa Clarita +
Waco
2.0%
Hispanic
Santa Clarita
36.0%
Santa Clarita +
Waco
29.9%
Spanish at Home
Santa Clarita
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Santa Clarita, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 229,021 | 141,925 | Santa Clarita + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 21.6% | 9.8% | Santa Clarita + |
| White | 53.1% | 54.0% | Waco + |
| Black | 4.4% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| Asian | 11.4% | 2.0% | Santa Clarita + |
| Hispanic | 36.0% | 29.9% | Santa Clarita + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Santa Clarita
$119,926
Santa Clarita +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
Santa Clarita
$49,571
Santa Clarita +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Santa Clarita
$77,230
Santa Clarita +
Waco
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Santa Clarita
5.3%
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Poverty Rate
Santa Clarita
7.7%
Santa Clarita +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Santa Clarita
39.3%
Santa Clarita +
Waco
28.6%
| Metric | Santa Clarita, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $119,926 | $51,468 | Santa Clarita + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,571 | $28,819 | Santa Clarita + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,758 | Santa Clarita + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 4.4% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.7% | 24.0% | Santa Clarita + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 39.3% | 28.6% | Santa Clarita + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Santa Clarita
$802,780
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
Santa Clarita
72.0%
Santa Clarita +
Waco
48.9%
| Metric | Santa Clarita, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $802,780 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 72.0% | 48.9% | Santa Clarita + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Santa Clarita
503
Waco
442
Waco +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Santa Clarita
2388
Waco
2339
Waco +
| Metric | Santa Clarita, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 442 | Waco + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2339 | Waco + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Santa Clarita
24.7%
Santa Clarita +
Waco
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Santa Clarita
9.8%
Santa Clarita +
Waco
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Santa Clarita
16.0%
Santa Clarita +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Santa Clarita
8.0%
Santa Clarita +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Santa Clarita
16.9%
Waco
16.2%
Waco +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Santa Clarita
9.9%
Santa Clarita +
Waco
15.1%
| Metric | Santa Clarita, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.7% | 36.8% | Santa Clarita + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 13.0% | Santa Clarita + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 20.4% | Santa Clarita + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.0% | 20.4% | Santa Clarita + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 16.2% | Waco + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 15.1% | Santa Clarita + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Santa Clarita
N/A
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Santa Clarita
N/A
Waco
36.4 in
| Metric | Santa Clarita, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 66.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 36.4 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Santa Clarita
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Clarita +
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Santa Clarita
75.0%
Santa Clarita +
Waco
55.0%
| Metric | Santa Clarita, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Santa Clarita + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Santa Clarita + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Santa Clarita
37.4 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | Santa Clarita, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 37.4 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Clarita leads in median household income at $119,926, while waco offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,465. On public safety, Waco is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Santa Clarita. Waco has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Santa Clarita has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Clarita scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.7%.
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